Hector Bellerin questions why Rashford refused to play for England under 21

The tournament kicks off today with Aidy Boothroyd’s England taking on Sweden in Kielce, but they’ll be doing it without Rashford after he was called up to the senior side.

This is a philosophy that doesn’t wash with Spain and Bellerin, Arsenal’s star right-back, who points out players with more imposing credentials than Rashford who are clamouring to claim the age-group title.

“You can see so many players who people think could be in the first team, like [Marco] Asensio at Real Madrid and Saul [Niguez], who has played more than a 100 games for Atletico,” he is quoted saying in the Daily Mail.

“It’s a great approach because it humbles you. If you want to be in the first team you have to show how much you’re worth at under 21 level.